THE WINE — Wine is the symbol of our joy. The commandment to bless the wine is a commandment to drink life as deeply as we drink from this cup. It is a commandment to bless life and to love deeply. It is a commandment to remember with Sabbath heart, to act with Sabbath hands and to see the world with Sabbath eyes.

Baruch a-ta Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, bo-rei p’ri ha-gafen.

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe,
Creator of the fruit of the vine.

THE SPICES — These are the spices of memory. Their sweetness reminds us of all the Sabbaths that we have known. May their fragrance ever evoke within us memories of this sweet, sweet Sabbath in our lives.

Baruch a-ta Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, bo-rei mi-nei v’samim.

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe,
Creator of the world’s spices.

THE CANDLE — The wicks of the Havdalah candle are intertwined, as our lives are intertwined. Joined together, our individual flames burn even more brightly. May we, united in our love for one another and for our people Israel, bring light and warmth to all the world.

Baruch a-ta Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, bo-rei m’orei ha-eish.

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of the fire.

THE HAVDALAH BLESSING — As we extinguish now this Havdalah candle, we pray for wisdom to discern that which is sacred and holy in our lives from that which is profane. May our daily priorities reflect our highest ideals and the values of our Jewish tradition.

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe.
You make distinctions, teaching us to distinguish the commonplace
from the holy. You create light and darkness, Israel and the nations,
the seventh day of rest and the six days of labor. We praise You, O God.
You call us to distinguish the commonplace from the holy.